PUPILS from a Basingstoke secondary school have been showing their artistic talent to civic leaders and the public.

Pupils from The Costello School proudly showed Councillor Martin Biermann and his wife Chansopha, pictured, around their Is it ART? exhibition at The Willis Museum, explaining the techniques, media and inspirations behind the pieces on display.

Included in the exhibition is a six-foot giraffe made entirely of recycled materials, created by 12-year-old Madeleine Sly.

Students from the catering department at the school, in Crossborough Hill, provided canapés for the tour.

Julia Mortimore, headteacher at The Costello School, joined the art students at the event. She said: “The Costello School is a thriving, successful school with high standards and achievements. We have high aspirations for every student and we guide and support them to reach their full potential.

“Art is one area where students excel at the school. This year 100 per cent of students gained A* to C grade in their GCSE art and in 2011 the school won the Good Schools Guide Award for Girls taking art and design in terms of outstanding student performance.

“Students are encouraged to explore different forms of art and to create their own styles which are displayed in this exhibition.”

The exhibition, which is free to see, runs at the museum, in Market Place, until November 16.